Spring-motor.



PATBNTED' NOV. 17, 1903.

W. U. COLTHAR. SPRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION TILED APR. 24. 1903. no MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903.

W. U. COLTHAR.

SPRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1903.

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W. U. GOLTHAR.

SPRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

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SPRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented November 17, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM U. COL'IHAR, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO IVILLIAM J.

JOHNSON, OF YELLOI/VSPRINGS, OHIO.

SPRING-MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,29 5, datedNovember 17, 1903.

Application filed April 24, 1903. 'Serial No. 154,153. (No model.)

pact, and eliicient motor, which may readily be applied to asewing-machine, which may be readily controlled as to stopping,starting, and speed by the usual treadle with which such machines areprovided and in which the motions given to the treadle in controllingthe machine will serve to rewind or aid in rewinding the spring.

To these ends my invention consists in certain novel features, which. Iwill now proceed to describe, and will then particularly point out inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation showing myimproved motor applied to a sewing-machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevationof the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail View, in vertical section,along the main axle. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line00 x of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is asimilar view taken on the line y y of Fig. 3 and looking in thedirection of the arrows. Fig. 6 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale,of the brake mechanism, taken on the line 2 of Fig. 1 and looking in thedirection of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a detail plan section taken on theline i o of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 8 isa detail sectional view through one of the ratchets taken on the line wof Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 9 is adetail View, partly in longitudinal section, of the extension-lever foroperating the main winding-ratchet.

In the said drawings, 1 indicates the sewing-machine proper, having onits main shaft the usual pulley 2, by means of which it is driven. Thismachine is mounted on the usual table 3, supported at its ends by theleg-frames land braced bythe central bracket 5. These parts may, ofcourse, be of any approved construction.

Referring more particularly to the motor, it comprises an axle 6,supported in suitable hearings in the leg-frames and bracket. In thepresent instance I have shown it mounted in the same position as theusual fly-wheel shaft of the driving mechanism of the machine. Said aXlehas one of its bearings at 7 in the bracket 5 and is further supportedby frame-plates 8' and 9, connected together by bolts 10 and supportedfrom the supporting-legs and brackets of the table in any suitablemanner.

10 indicates a coiled spring, secured at one end to the axle 6, asindicated at 11, its other end being secured to a casing 12, asindicated at 18, said casing being mounted on the axle 6, so as to befree to rotate thereon. The springcasing 12 carries an internal gear 14and is provided with a plate 15, which incloses the spring on theopenside where the internal gear is located and holds said spring inposition within the casing. The internal gear 14 meshes with a pinion16, mounted on a studshaft 17, projecting from the frame-plate 8, andsaid pinion 16 is connected with a gear 18, also mountedon said shaft17, so that the pinion and gear rotate together. The frameplate 8isfurther provided with a second studshaft 19, on which are mounted, so asto rotate in unison, a pinion 20 and gear-wheel 21. The pinion 2O mesheswith the gear-wheel 18, while the gear-wheel 21 meshes with a pinion 22,secured on the hub 23 of a combined flywheel and driving-pulley 24,whichis mounted loosely on the axle 6 between the frame-plates 8 and 9. Itwill thus be seen that a comparatively slow rotation of the springcasing12 and its gear 14 will impart a relatively rapid movement of rotationto the driving-wheel 24, and this motion is transmitted to thedrivingpulley 2 of the sewingmachine proper by means of a suitable belt25.

In order to control and regulate the running of the machine so as toreadily stop it or start it and regulate its speed while running, Iemploy a brake mechanism utilizing the usual treadle 26 andtreadle-shaft27 of the sewing-machine. To this end there is secured on thetreadle-shaft 27 an arm 28, having an inclined or cam portion 29, in thepath of which lies a rod 30, pivoted at its lower end at 31 to anysuitable supportas, for instance, the lower part of the bracket 5. Theupper end of this rod carries a pin 32, which passes through aguide-opening 33 in the frame-plate 8, the inner end of said pin lyingimmediately adjacent to the rim of the wheel 24, against which it ispressed when the rod 30 is engaged by the cam 29. This pin thus acts asa friction-brake against the wheel and regulates its speed or entirelyarrests its motion, as desired, such regulation or stopping beingeffected by a rocking movement of the treadle 26. The brake-pin 32 ispreferably provided with a covering 34, of rubber or the like, to afforda more efficient and readily replaceable friction-surface. The pin isdisengaged when the cam is moved out of contact with the rod 30 byreason of the fact that its pivot is located to one side of its centerof gravity, as shown in Fig. 1. A resilient arm might, however, besubstituted for the pivoted arm or rod shown.

In the ordinary use of a sewing-machine it is being frequently stoppedand started or its speed changed, according to the character of thework, and I propose to utilize the movements of the treadle by whichthis regulation is effected in order to rewind or aid in rewinding thespring of the motor. To this end there is secured on the axle 6 aratchetwheel 35, and on each side of said ratchetwheel there is mountedloosely on the axle 6 a vibrating arm, (indicated at 36 and 37.) Thesearms are connected by links or pivoted rods 38 and 39, respectively,with the treadle 26 at a point 26 eccentric to its pivotal axis. It willthus be seen that when the side of the treadle carrying the pivot 26 isdepressed both of the arms 36 and 37 will be similarly depressed andwhen said portion of the treadle is raised both of the arms will besimilarly raised. This movement of the arms toward and from each otheris illustrated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 4. The arm 36 hasmounted in it a plurality of sliding pawls or dogs 40, preferably fourin number and arranged at a distance apart slightly greater than thedistance between the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 35. These pawls arepressed inward into engagement with the ratchetwheel 35 by means ofsprings 41, and their location and arrangement are such that one of themis always in engagement with the radial face of one of theratchet-teeth, so that whenever the arm 36 moves downward theratchetwheel and axle 6 will be rotated in such a direction as to windthe spring 10, there being practically no lost motion before theengagementof one of the pawls with the ratchetwheel. The arm 37 isprovided with similar pawls or dogs 42, similarly spaced apart andforced into engagement with the ratchet wheel by springs 43, and theirarrangement is such that any upward movement of the arm flange 49.

37 will rotate the ratchet-wheel 35 and axle 6 in the same direction andfurther wind the spring 10. Thus every movement of the treadle, nomatter how slight or in what direction, will partially rewind the springof the motor, and in practice I have found that little or no otherwinding of said spring is required. It will be understood, of course,that the ratchet-wheel 35 and the pawl-carrying arms engaging therewithprevent free rotation of the axle 6 and cause the spring to exert itsforce upon the driving-wheel 24. The treadle has at no time any part inthe actual driving of the sewing-machine, as this drivingisaccomplishedentirely by thespringmotor. The treadle does, however, havetwo functions, operating at one and the same time to control the speedof the sewing-machine and rewind the spring of the motor. The device asa whole is especially adapted for domestic use where power is notavailable, as in a factory. In such domestic use the class of sewingusually done is such that the seams are frequently very short, involvinga frequent stopping and starting of the machine. At the same time thecharacter of the goods, the size and shape of the articles operated on,and the frequent deviations of the seams from a straight line all tendto require frequent slowing down of the sewing-machine, as well asfrequent stoppages, and of course equallyfrequent increases in speed andstartings. It is found in practice thatin this class of work theconstant movements of the treadle in stopping and starting, slowingdown, and increasing speed are sufficient to keep the spring of themotor wound up to such an extent that recourse to the main windingdevice hereinafter referred to is seldom required.

In order to make provision for winding the spring 10 at any time whenthe rewinding just described is not sufficient, I provide upon the outerend of the axle 6 a ratchet-wheel 44, reniovably secured thereon by apin 45. This ratchet-wheel is embraced by an oscillating band-wheel 46,mounted on the hub 47 of said ratchet-wheel and preferably made in twoparts, as shown. One of these parts (indicated at 48) has an annularprojection 49, in which are mounted to slide radially pawls or dogs 50,adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel 44, and held in such engagement by aspring 51, passing through apertures 52 in the outer ends of said pawls.The other member of this wheel (indicated at 53) is provided outwardfrom the annular flange 49, but inward from the periphery of the wheel,with an annular flange 54. The two parts are united by screws 55,passing through the body of the part 53 into the annular The space 56between the flanges 49 and 54 accommodates the spring 51 and gives roomfor the outward movement of the pawls 50. The space 57 lying outwardfrom the flange 54 forms a peripheral groove to receive a band or strap58, one end of which is IIO secured to the band-wheel 46, while theother end is secured at 59 to a hand-lever 60, pivoted at 60 to theframe of the machine. This lever is made in two parts, so as to beextensible, and comprises a body portion 61, having an aperture (52, inwhich fits and slides a rod 63, and provided at one end with ahand-grasp 64 and at the other end with a head or enlargement 65. Thebore 62 is enlarged at that end thereof nearest the pivot 60, as shownat 66, so as to permit the entry into it of the head 65, so that whilethe lever 60 is not in use it may lie in the compact form shown in Fig.2, not projecting materially beyond the frame of the machine. Whenrequired for use, however, it may be extended by pulling upon thehand-grasp 64 until the enlargement 65 comes into contact with theshoulder 67, formed at the junction of the bores 62 and 66, whereupondownward pressure on the handle 64 will cause the bandwheel to rotate,carrying the ratchet-wheel 44: along with it, and thus so rotating theaxle 6 as to wind the spring 10. The return of the parts is effected bya spring 68, surrounding the hub 47 of the ratchet-wheel and having oneend connected to the frame member 4 or some other fixed part, while itsother end is connected to the band-wheel. By reason of this constructionthe spring 10 may be readily and quickly wound, and the lever 60 may belengthened more or less, so as to increase or diminish the leverage, asdesired.

It will be observed that there are two winding mechanisms connected withthe motor, one of which, operated by the hand-lever, gives the springits initial winding and may therefore be termed the main windingmechanism, while the other, operated by the treadle, rewinds the springduring the operation of the sewing-machine and may therefore be calledthe auxiliary winding mechanism. These two winding devices, inconjunction with the brake mechanism and the foot-treadle operativelyconnected with and simultaneously actuating both the brake mechanism andthe auxiliary winding device, constitute as a whole an organized.mechanism whereby the length of the operative period of thesewing-machine before the motor finally runs down, so as to requirerewinding by the main winding device, is extended far beyond to what itwould be were the auxiliary winding device and the mechanism foroperating it in conjunction with the brake mechanism omitted. It shouldalso be noted that the ratchet mechanism constituting a part of theauxiliary winding mechanism serves also as a detent mechanism to preventthe uncoiling of the spring when wound by the main winding mechanism.

The entire motor constructed in the manner shown may be applied to thesupportingframe of sewing-machines already built and does not require aspecial structure of supporting-frame for its application.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise detailsof construction hereinbefore described, and shown in the accompanyingdrawings, as it is obvious that these details may be modified withoutdeparting from the principle of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination,with a sewing-machine, of a spring-motor therefor,means connecting said motor with the sewing-machine to drive the same, amain winding mechanism, an auxiliary winding mechanism, a brakemechanism, a treadle, means connecting the treadle and brake mechanismwhereby the former operates the latter, and means connecting the treadleand auxiliary winding mechanism whereby said auxiliary winding mechanismis actuated by the brake-controlling movements of the treadle,substantially as described.

2. Thecombination,withasewing-machine, of a spring-motor therefor, meansconnecting said motor with the sewing-machine to drive the same, a mainwinding mechanism, an auxiliary winding mechanism, a brake mechanism,atreadle, means connecting the treadle and brake mechanism whereby theformer operates the latter, and means connecting the treadle andauxiliary winding mechanism whereby said auxiliary winding mechanism isactuated by the brake-controlling movements of the treadle, saidauxiliary winding mechanism comprising a ratchetwheel with which one endof the motor-spring is connected, vibrating arms located on 0ppositesides of the ratchet-wheel and each provided with pawls to engage saidratchetwheel, and means connecting said vibrating arms with the treadle,whereby said arms are moved simultaneously in opposite directions,substantially as described.

3. In a spring-motor, the combination, with a normally stationary axleprovided with a ratchet-wheel, of a coiled spring connected with saidaxle, a gear-train driven by said spring, a wheel driven by thegear-train, a band-wheel loosely mounted adjacent to the ratchet-wheeland provided with pawls to engage the same, a vibrating lever, a bandconnecting said lever and the band-wheel, a spring for returning saidband-wheel and lever to normal position, and a ratchet device forpreventing reverse rotation of the main axle, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a spring-motor, the combination, with a normally stationary mainaxle, a ratchetwheel thereon, a coiled spring connected with said axle,and a gear-train driven by said spring, of a band-wheel provided withpawls to engage the ratchet-wheel, aband connected with said wheel atone end, and a vibrating lever connected to the other end of saidband-wheel, said vibrating lever being composed of two relativelysliding sections, whereby its length may be extended or decreased,substantially as described.

loo

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5. In a spring-motor, an axle having two ratchet-wheels thereon, acoiled spring connected to said axle, agear-train driven by said spring,a wheel driven by said gear-train, a brake controlling said wheel andtrain, a treadle controlling said brake, two vibrating arms mountedloosely on the axle and provided with pawls to engage one of theratchetwheels, said arms being operatively connected with the treadle,whereby the movements of said treadle in either direction serve to windthe spring, a band-wheel loosely mounted adjacent to the secondratchet-wheel and provided with pawls to engage the same, a vibratinglever, a band connecting said vibrating lever and band-wheel, and aspring to return said vibrating lever and band-wheel to normal position,substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a sewing-machine proper and itssupporting-table, of a springmotor mounted in the supporting-frame ofsaid table and comprising a normally stationary axle provided with aratchet-wheel, a coiled spring connected to said axle, a geartraindriven by said spring, a combined driving and fly wheeldriven by saidgear-train and connected with the sewing-machine proper to drive thesame, a movable brake-arm mounted on the supporting-frame of thesewing-machine and normally out of engagement with the driving-wheel, atreadle-shaft, a treadle, a cam mounted on the treadle-shaft of thesewing-machine to operate said brake-arm, vibrating arms loosely mountedon the axle and provided with pawls to engage the ratchetwheel fromopposite sides, and links pivoted to said arms and to the treadle of thesewingmachine, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a sewing-machine proper and itssupporting-table, of a springmotor mounted in the supporting-frame ofsaid table and comprising a normally stationary axle provided with tworatchet-wheels, a coiled spring connected to said axle, a geartraindriven by said spring, a combined driving and fly wheel driven by saidgear-train and connected with the sewing-machine proper to drive thesame, a movable brake-arm mounted on the supporting-frame of thesewing-machine and normally out of engagement with the driving-Wheel, atreadleshaft, a treadle, a cam mounted on the treadle-shaft of thesewing-machine to operate said brake-arm, vibrating arms loosely mountedon the axle and provided with pawls to engage one of said ratchet-wheelsfrom opposite sides, links pivoted to said arms and to the treadle ofthe sewingmachine, a loosely mounted bandwheel adjacent to the secondratchet-wheel and provided with pawls to engage the same, a vibratingextensible hand-lever mounted on the supporting-frame of thesewing-machine, a band connecting said last-mentioned lever andband-wheel, and a spring to return said last-mentioned lever andband-Wheel to normal position, substantially as described.

-In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM U. COLTHAR.

Witnesses:

E. O. HAGAN, IRVINE MILLER.

